In November, Arizona voters will decide whether expanding the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program makes sense. It was originally started to help the parents of disabled children, foster children, or parents who are active military. It evolved, with little controversy, to include adopted children, children attending D/F rated schools, and those in Native American communities. About 5,000 children are now using the scholarships to attend private schools or be home-schooled, if they don’t feel the public school system is right for their special, unique needs.
Read More »Low-rated, failing schools risk loss of money, have hoops to jump through 
Nearly 200 schools statewide received either a D or F grade under the state’s new school rating system. Traditional K-8 schools accounted for the majority of schools on notice with 153 receiving D grades and 31 receiving Fs. Meanwhile, a dozen 9-12 schools received Ds and four others received Fs.
Read More »3rd graders caught in middle of latest state education dispute 
Another disagreement between the State Board of Education and the Department of Education led by Diane Douglas could leave children in failing schools without a plan to improve their reading.
Read More »‘Messed up:’ Common Core test could be destined to fail 
The Arizona Department of Education is expecting the initial achievement test tied to the Common Core learning standards to be a disaster.
Read More »School freeze – Educators push for delay in test repercussions 
Arizona public schools would get a one-year freeze on consequences from a new high-stakes learning test under legislation the state Department of Education plans to offer during the next session.
Read More »Brewer plan would tie school funding to student achievement 
Taking a page from higher education, Gov. Jan Brewer announced today she wants to install a system in which public schools would earn some of their funding based on student achievement.
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